What does it mean that love envieth not, and how does envy relate to coveting?
Love envieth not means love does not covet what belongs to someone else. Envy is equated with coveting, so if you love a person, you cannot covet what is theirs. This connects directly back to the commandments and reflects God-centered agape love.
Les explains that Paul is listing the attributes of agape love, which is God-centered and can only be truly exercised by the believer. The phrase “Love envieth not” is clarified by equating envy with coveting: if you love someone, you cannot covet what is theirs. That principle goes right back to the commandments. It also contrasts with selfishness, because love does not vaunt itself, is not puffed up, and never seeks her own. This agape love is not Hollywood’s erotic love; the unsaved world cannot comprehend it, but Paul says it is available for believers to latch on to.
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,